Own Institute, Ghana.

20/02/2026

It's getting unsafe for West Africa.

Islamist militants linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) killed more than 180 soldiers and civilians across northern and eastern Burkina Faso, diplomats report. The attacks hit towns including Bilanga, Titao, Tandjari, Nare, Fada N’Gourma, and near Ouahigouya.

In Titao alone, nearly 80 soldiers and pro-government militias were killed, alongside at least 10 civilians. Ghana’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that eight Ghanaian tomato traders were among those killed.

The U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group noted JNIM claimed responsibility, seizing military vehicles and weapons. SITE Director Rita Katz said the group carried out nearly 500 attacks in Burkina Faso in 2025 and around 300 in Mali.

Diplomatic sources described the assaults as “unprecedented coordination,” highlighting the junta’s inability to contain the escalating violence since seizing power in 2022. Burkinabe authorities have yet to confirm casualty figures.

17/02/2026

*Management Salary Cuts at the COCOBOD. How Does It Restore Losses by Farmers?*

I feel the pain of Cocoa farmers in Ghana today that had been occassioned by government's interventionist mechanism in the sector. As a free markets advocate, I am of the view that improved human prosperity and dignity must police the very direction of every puplic policy. What's worrying, however, is that decisions being taking to mitigate the current predicament seems to have no bearing on universally acceptable best practices to doing so.

The truth is this 'Government must get out of the way'. Government's 'Price-control' pill that had been forced down the throats of the poor farmer, over the years, is nothing but a state sponsored thievery. The solution lies in allowing free markets to flourish in the Cocoa sector. _If the chocolate-producing giants (companies) are at liberty to price their products, why not the farmer at the farmgate?_

The Cocoa Marketing Board (COCOBOD) has gotten itself entangled in a situation that has the potential of collapsing the sector. What's even scary is the total number of the productive citizenry that have been, and would be, negatively affected by this retardating leadership acumen...the state of being forced to bear criminal consequences of a decision they have no hand in.... been displayed by the current managers.

As a measure to address the situation, the COCOBOD has announced some marginal cuts in the salaries for its top management staff. And I ask 'How would this salary-cuts announced restore the losses that the ordinary farmer had incurred on a bag of cocoa to be sold?' What practically, does this seek to achieve in regards to the problems at hand?.Or it's meant to inform the farmers that the top management staff is ready to get impoverished with the ordinary farmer. And that they, the farmers, should not be worried about the attack on their hard earned property.

Some situation calls for management but this one demands leadership.

Agyemang Richard
(The Concerned Patriot)

28/09/2025

The love for the two, King Sark and Shata, is massive. I passed by last night and got stacked in the heavy vehicular traffic towards the Kumasi Sports Stadium from all directions. These people must be given the needed support to help raise the happiness Index of our young generation overcome the ever increasing hopelessness and depression. This way, the country can enhance our health status. Music is good. Many thanks to the King for blessing Sarks ambition, and to Shata for showing Ashanti love. We shall give him the love in many folds.